List of Portuguese people

The following is a list of notable and historically significant people from Portugal.

15th century



 * Afonso Gonçalves Baldaia, explorer of the African coast
 * Álvaro Caminha, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * Álvaro Martins, explorer of the African coast
 * Alvise Cadamosto, explorer of the Atlantic islands and of the African coast
 * André Gonçalves, explorer of the sea route to Brazil
 * Antão Gonçalves, explorer of the African coast
 * Álvaro Fernandes, explorer of the African coast
 * Bartolomeu Dias, explorer of the African coast
 * Bartolomeu Perestrelo, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * Dinis Dias, explorer of the African coast
 * Diogo Cão, explorer of the African coast
 * Diogo de Azambuja, explorer of the African coast
 * Diogo de Teive, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * Diogo Dias, explorer of the Atlantic islands, of the African coast and the Indian Ocean, discovered Madagascar
 * Diogo Silves, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * Duarte Pacheco Pereira, explorer of the Atlantic
 * Fernão do Pó, explorer of the African coast
 * Gil Eanes, explorer of the African coast
 * Gonçalo Velho, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * João de Santarém, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * João Gonçalves Zarco, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * João Grego, explorer of the African coast
 * João Infante, explorer of the African coast
 * João Vaz Corte-Real, explorer of North America
 * Lopes Gonçalves, explorer of the Atlantic
 * Luís Pires, explorer of the sea route to Brazil
 * Nicolau Coelho, explorer of the sea route to Brazil
 * Nuno Tristão, explorer of the African coast
 * Paulo da Gama, explorer of the sea route to India
 * Pedro Álvares Cabral, discoverer of Brazil in 1500
 * Pedro Escobar, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * Pero de Alenquer, explorer of the African coast
 * Pero de Sintra, explorer of the African coast
 * Pero Dias, explorer of the African coast
 * Pero Vaz de Caminha, explorer of the sea route to Brazil
 * Tristão Vaz Teixeira, explorer of the Atlantic islands
 * Vasco da Gama, led the discovery of the sea route to India in 1498

15th/16th century

 * Afonso de Paiva, diplomat and explorer in Ethiopia
 * Fernão de Noronha, explorer of the Atlantic
 * Gaspar de Lemos, explorer of the Atlantic and of the sea route to Brazil
 * Gonçalo Coelho, explorer of the South American coast
 * João Fernandes Lavrador, explorer of North America
 * Pero da Covilhã, diplomat and explorer in Ethiopia and India
 * Pero de Barcelos, explorer of North America

16th century

 * Afonso de Albuquerque, naval admiral and viceroy of India
 * António de Abreu, explorer of Indonesia
 * António Mota, among the first to reach Japan
 * Bento de Góis, explorer
 * Cristóvão Jacques, explorer of the Brazilian coast
 * Cristóvão de Mendonça, some have claimed he discovered Australia; this is disputed
 * Diogo Lopes de Sequeira, explorer of the Indian Ocean
 * Diogo Rodrigues, explorer of the Indian Ocean
 * Duarte Fernandes, diplomat in Thailand
 * Estevão da Gama, explorer of the Indian Ocean
 * Fernão Lopez, soldier in India and first resident of the island of Saint Helena
 * Fernão Mendes Pinto, among the first to reach Japan
 * Fernão Pires de Andrade, merchant in China
 * Francisco Álvares, missionary and explorer in Ethiopia
 * Francisco de Almeida, explorer and viceroy of India
 * Gaspar Corte-Real, explorer of North America
 * Gomes de Sequeira, some claim he discovered Australia; this is disputed
 * João da Nova, explorer of the Atlantic and of the Indian Ocean
 * Jorge Álvares, the first to reach China
 * João Rodrigues Cabrilho, discoverer of California
 * Lourenço Marques, trader and explorer in East Africa
 * Martim Afonso de Sousa, explorer and soldier in India
 * Miguel Corte-Real, explorer of North America
 * Paulo Dias de Novais, colonizer of Africa
 * Pedro Mascarenhas, explorer of the Indian Ocean
 * Tristão da Cunha, naval general and discoverer
 * Ferdinand Magellan, led the first successful attempt to circumnavigate the Earth (1519–1522); explorer of the Pacific Ocean

17th century

 * Estêvão Cacella, missionary and explorer of Tibet, first European in Bhutan
 * Baltasar Fernandes, explorer of Brazil's interior
 * Jerónimo Lobo, missionary and explorer of Ethiopia
 * Luís Vaz de Torres, 16th-century/17th-century explorer of south-west Pacific
 * Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, 16th-century/17th-century explorer of south-west Pacific, some claim he discovered Australia
 * Pedro Teixeira, explorer of the Amazon River
 * António Raposo Tavares, bandeirante

18th century

 * Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, explorer of Brazil's interior
 * Francisco de Lacerda, explorer of Africa

19th century

 * Alexandre de Serpa Pinto, explorer of Africa
 * António da Silva Porto, explorer of Africa
 * Hermenegildo Capelo, explorer of Africa
 * Roberto Ivens, explorer of Africa

20th century

 * Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral, first to cross the South Atlantic Ocean by air

Monarchs

 * Monarchs of Portugal

Saints

 * Amador of Portugal (Early Christianity)
 * Anthony of Lisbon (1195–1231)
 * Beatrice of Silva (1424–1490)
 * Elizabeth of Portugal (1271–1336)
 * Felix the Hermit (9th century)
 * Francisco Marto (1908–1919)
 * Fructuosus of Braga (7th century)
 * Irene of Tomar (7th century)
 * Jacinta Marto (1910–1920)
 * John de Brito (1647–1693)
 * John of God (1495–1550)
 * Julia (3rd century)
 * Mantius of Évora (Early Christianity)
 * Martin of Braga (520–580)
 * Maxima (3rd century)
 * Nuno Álvares Pereira (1360–1431)
 * Peter of Rates (1st century)
 * Quiteria (5th century)
 * Rita Amada de Jesus (1848–1913)
 * Rudesind (10th century)
 * Saint Ovidius (1st and 2nd centuries)
 * Theotonius (1088–1166)
 * Verissimus (3rd century)
 * Wilgefortis (folk saint)

Blessed

 * Alexandrina of Balasar (1904–1955)
 * Amadeus of Portugal (1420–1482)
 * Bartolomeu dos Mártires (1514–1590)
 * Ferdinand the Holy Prince (1402–1443)
 * Inácio de Azevedo (1528–1570)
 * Joan, Princess of Portugal (1452–1490)
 * Mafalda of Portugal (1190–1256)
 * Sancha of Portugal (1180–1229)
 * Teresa of Portugal (1181–1250)
 * Elizabeth of Portugal (1282–1325)

Religious

 * António de Andrade (1580–1634), missionary, explorer of Tibet
 * António Vieira (1608–1697), writer, diplomat and preacher
 * João Ferreira Annes de Almeida (1628–1691), missionary
 * Paulo António de Carvalho e Mendonça (1702–1770), priest and cardinal, Inquisitor-General of the Holy Inquisition
 * Lúcia de Jesus dos Santos (1907–2005), visionary, involved in the 1917 Fátima events
 * Paulus Orosius (385–420), historian, theologian and disciple of St. Augustine

Popes

 * Damasus I, 4th-century pope
 * John XXI, 13th-century pope

Philosophers

 * Agostinho da Silva (1906–1996)
 * António Castanheira Neves (born 1929)
 * António Sérgio (1883–1969)
 * Damião de Góis (1502–1574)
 * Eduardo Lourenço (1923–2020)
 * José Gil (born 1939)

Musicians

 * Adriano Correia de Oliveira (1942–1982), singer
 * Alfredo Keil (1850–1907), composer of the Portuguese anthem
 * Ana Free, singer
 * Ana Moura (born 1979), singer, fadista
 * António Zambujo (born 1975), singer, fadista
 * Alfredo Marceneiro (1891–1982), fado singer
 * Amália Rodrigues (1920–1999), the most famous fado singer
 * António Fragoso (1897–1918), piano composer
 * António Pinho Vargas (born 1951), classical, jazz and piano composer
 * António Variações (1944–1984), singer-songwriter
 * Aurea, singer
 * Camané (born 1967), singer, fadista
 * Carlos do Carmo (1939–2021), singer, fadista
 * Carlos Paredes (1925–2004), Portuguese guitar player
 * Carlos Seixas (1704–1742), composer
 * Cristina Branco (born 1972), fado singer
 * Danny Fernandes, singer
 * David Fonseca (born 1973), singer
 * Diogo Piçarra, singer
 * DJ Vibe, DJ
 * Duarte Lobo (1565–1646), composer
 * Dulce Pontes (born 1969), singer
 * Fernando Lopes Graça (1906–1995), composer
 * Fernando Ribeiro (born 1974), Moonspell vocals
 * Francisco d'Andrade (1856–1921), international opera baritone
 * Guilhermina Suggia (1885–1950), cellist
 * Isabel Soveral (born 1961), composer
 * Jay Kay (born 1969), singer; Portuguese father
 * João Domingos Bomtempo (1775–1842), composer
 * Joaquim José Antunes (1725–1790), harpsichord maker
 * Jorge Palma (born 1950), singer, pianist and songwriter
 * José Afonso (1929–1987), aka Zeca Afonso, composer, player
 * Luciana Abreu (born 1985), singer, composer, actress, TV host
 * Lúcia Moniz (born 1976), singer, actress
 * Luís de Freitas Branco (1890–1955), composer
 * Luísa Todi (1753–1833), lyrical singer
 * Mafalda Arnauth (born 1974), fado singer
 * Malvina Garrigues (1825–1904), opera soprano
 * Manuela Azevedo, singer
 * Maria Ascensão (1926–2001), folklorist
 * Maria João Pires (born 1944), piano player
 * Maria João (born 1956), jazz singer
 * Mário Laginha (born 1960), piano player
 * Mariza (born 1973), fado singer
 * Mísia, fado singer
 * Nelly Furtado, singer
 * Nuno Bettencourt (born 1966), guitarist, singer-songwriter
 * Paulo Furtado, blues performer
 * Pedro de Escobar (c. 1465 – 1535), composer
 * Rita Guerra (born 1967), singer
 * Rita Redshoes, singer
 * Rui da Silva, disc jockey
 * Rui Veloso (born 1957), singer
 * Salvador Sobral (born 1989), singer
 * Sara Tavares (born 1978), singer
 * Shawn Desman, singer
 * Shawn Mendes, singer
 * Sérgio Godinho (born 1948), singer
 * Steve Perry, lead singer of band Journey
 * Teresa Salgueiro (born 1969), Madredeus vocals
 * José Vianna da Motta (1868–1948), piano player, composer
 * Vitorino (born 1942), singer

Fictionists

 * Agustina Bessa-Luís
 * Alexandre Herculano
 * Almeida Garrett, also a poet and playwright
 * Alves Redol, neo-realist writer
 * António Lobo Antunes
 * Aquilino Ribeiro, neo-realist writer
 * Bernardim Ribeiro
 * Camilo Castelo Branco
 * Carlos de Oliveira
 * Eça de Queiroz
 * Gonçalo M. Tavares
 * Hélia Correia
 * Inês Pedrosa
 * Irene Lisboa (1892–1958)
 * João Aguiar, writer
 * José Cardoso Pires
 * José Rodrigues Miguéis (1901–1980), writer
 * José Saramago, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998
 * Júlio Dinis
 * Mário de Sá-Carneiro, novelist and poet
 * Miguel Torga, also a poet
 * Ramalho Ortigão
 * Raul Brandão (1867–1930)
 * Soeiro Pereira Gomes, neo-realist writer
 * Vergílio Ferreira
 * Vitorino Nemésio

Poets

 * Ana Luísa Amaral
 * Antero de Quental
 * António Nobre
 * Camilo Pessanha
 * Cesário Verde
 * David Mourão-Ferreira
 * Eugénio de Andrade
 * Fernando Pessoa, poet writer philosopher, described as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century
 * Fiama Hasse Pais Brandão, poet and writer
 * Guerra Junqueiro, poet and writer
 * Herberto Hélder
 * Jorge de Sena, writer and poet
 * José Gomes Ferreira, writer
 * Luís Vaz de Camões, poet, playwright
 * Manuel Alegre, poet, writer and politician
 * Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage
 * Orlando da Costa, poet and playwright
 * Sá de Miranda
 * Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen
 * Teixeira de Pascoaes
 * Vasco Graça Moura

Others

 * Agostinho da Silva, writer and philosopher
 * Alice Vieira, children's books writer
 * Almada Negreiros
 * Álvaro Cunhal, neo-realist writer
 * Álvaro Magalhães, writer
 * Ana de Castro Osório, writer and pioneer feminist
 * André de Resende, writer
 * António Ferreira (poet)
 * António José da Silva, playwright
 * António Vieira (1608–1697), preacher and writer
 * Damião de Góis, writer
 * Eduardo Lourenço
 * Fernão Lopes (c. 1380–1458), royal chronicler
 * Gil Vicente, playwright
 * Gomes Eanes de Zurara, chronicler
 * João de Barros, writer and historian
 * Luiz Pacheco (1925–2008), writer and editor
 * Natália Correia, writer and poet
 * Raul Proença (1884–1941), writer
 * Rosa Lobato Faria, writer
 * Rui de Pina, chronicler
 * Tomé Pires (1465–1540), author of the Suma Oriental
 * Urbano Tavares Rodrigues, writer and journalist

Artists

 * Sofia Areal, painter
 * Almada Negreiros (1893–1970), 20th-century painter
 * Amadeo de Souza Cardoso (1887–1918), 20th-century painter
 * Ana Dias (born 1984), photographer of erotic femininity
 * António Soares dos Reis (1847–1889), 19th-century sculptor
 * Aurélia de Souza (1865–1922), 19th/20th-century painter
 * Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro (1857–1929), 19th/20th-century painter
 * Eduardo Gageiro (born 1935), 20th-century photographer
 * Fernando Lanhas (1923–2012), 20th/21st-century painter and architect
 * Filipe Alarcão (born 1963), urban and modern contemporary designer
 * Helena Corrêa de Barros (1910–2000), 20th-century photographer
 * João M. P. Lemos, cartoonist
 * José Dias Coelho (1923–1961), 20th-century artist
 * José Malhoa, 19th-century painter
 * Joshua Benoliel (1873–1932), 19th/20th-century photographer
 * Júlio Pomar (1926–2018), 20th-century painter
 * Marco Mendes (born 1978), comic artist
 * Manuel Pereira da Silva (1920–2003), 20th-century sculptor
 * Nadir Afonso (1920–2013), geometric abstract painter
 * Nuno Gonçalves, 15th-century painter
 * Paula Rego, 20th-century painter
 * Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, 19th-century caricaturist
 * Raquel Gameiro (1889–1970), painter and illustrator
 * Vasco Fernandes (Grão Vasco), 15th-century painter
 * Vieira da Silva, 20th-century painter

Scientists

 * Abel Salazar (1889–1946)
 * Alexandre Quintanilha (born 1945)
 * André de Resende (c. 1500 – 1573)
 * António A. de Freitas (born 1947), immunologist
 * António Damásio (born 1944), neurologist
 * Bartolomeu de Gusmão (1685–1724), inventor
 * Bento de Jesus Caraça (1901–1948), mathematician
 * Diogo Abreu (born 1947), geographer
 * Egas Moniz (1874–1955), neurologist and Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1949
 * Freitas-Magalhães (born 1966), psychologist
 * Garcia de Orta (c. 1499 – 1568), botanical scientist
 * Hanna Damásio (born 1942), neurologist
 * Jacob de Castro Sarmento (c. 1691 – 1762)
 * João de Pina-Cabral (born 1954), anthropologist
 * João Magueijo (born 1967), physicist
 * Miguel Vale de Almeida (born 1960), anthropologist
 * Benedita Barata da Rocha (1949–2021), immunologist
 * Orlando Ribeiro (1911–1997), geographer
 * Pedro Nunes (1502–1578), mathematician and cosmographer
 * Raquel Seruca (1962–2022), oncobiologist
 * Sousa Martins (1843–1897)
 * Tomé Pires (c. 1465–c. 1540)

Engineers and architects

 * Álvaro Siza Vieira (born 1933), architect
 * João Luís Carrilho da Graça, architect
 * Edgar Cardoso (1913–2000), engineer
 * Eduardo Souto de Moura, architect
 * Fernando Távora (1923–2005), architect
 * José Tribolet, engineer, IST professor
 * Tomás Taveira (born 1938), architect
 * António Maria Braga, architect

Psychiatrists

 * João dos Santos

Actors

 * Alexandra Lencastre (born 1965)
 * Ana Rita Machado (born 1991)
 * António Silva
 * Beatriz Batarda
 * Beatriz Costa
 * Carmen Miranda (1909–1955), singer and actress
 * Daniela Melchior
 * Daniela Ruah
 * Diogo Infante
 * Diogo Morgado
 * Eunice Muñoz (1928–2022)
 * Fernando Rocha (born 1975), comedian, actor
 * Francisco Ribeiro (1911–1984), actor, comedian, film director, theatre director
 * Herman José (born 1954), actor and humourist
 * João Villaret (1913–1961), actor and poetry reader
 * Joaquim de Almeida (born 1957)
 * Maria de Medeiros
 * Maria Matos (1890–1952)
 * Nicolau Breyner
 * Nuno Lopes (born 1978)
 * Raul Solnado, actor and humourist
 * Teresa Aço, actor
 * Vasco Santana (1898–1958)

Directors

 * António Lopes Ribeiro (1908–1995)
 * Constantino Esteves
 * Diana Andringa
 * João César Monteiro (1939–2003)
 * João Pedro Rodrigues
 * Luís Miguel Cintra (born 1948)
 * Manoel de Oliveira (1908–2015)
 * Marco Martins (born 1972)
 * Miguel Gomes
 * Pedro Costa
 * Rita Azevedo Gomes
 * Vasco Nunes (1974–2016), director, cinematographer, producer

Others

 * Vera Mantero (born 1966), dancer and choreographer

Soldiers

 * Álvaro Vaz de Almada (count of Avranches) (1390–1449), knight of the Garter, Captain-major of Portugal, killed in battle
 * Fernando de Almada (count of Avranches) (1430–1496), Captain-major of Portugal
 * Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho (1936–2021), chief strategist of the Carnation Revolution of Portugal
 * Aníbal Augusto Milhais (1895–1970), most decorated soldier Ordem de Torre e Espada do Valor, Lealdade e Mérito of Portugal
 * Salgueiro Maia (1944–1992), Captain who led a cavalry unit into Lisbon during the Carnation Revolution of Portugal

Football

 * Bernardo Silva (born 1994) football player
 * Carlos Queiroz, football coach
 * Costinha (born 1974), football player
 * Cristiano Ronaldo (born 1985), football player
 * Dinis Vital (1932–2014), football player
 * Eusébio (1942–2014), football player, born in Portuguese Mozambique; later moved to Portugal
 * Hugo Almeida (born 1984), football player
 * José Mourinho, football coach
 * João Cancelo, football player
 * João Félix, football player
 * João Moutinho, football player
 * Luís Figo (born 1972), football player
 * Luís Miguel Afonso Fernandes, football player
 * Maniche (born 1977), football player
 * Matheus Nunes (born 1998) football player
 * Nani, football player
 * Nuno Gomes, football player
 * Pauleta, football player
 * Paulo Ferreira, football player
 * Paulo Futre, former football player
 * Paulo Sousa, former football player
 * Pereira Da Silva, football player
 * Ricardo Carvalho, football player
 * Ricardo Pereira, football player
 * Ricardo Quaresma (born 1983), football player
 * Ricardo Sá Pinto, football player
 * Rúben Dias (born 1997) football player
 * Rui Costa (born 1972), football player
 * Simão Sabrosa (born 1979), football player
 * Vítor Baía (born 1969), football player

Others

 * Ana Rocha, professional wrestler
 * António Jesus Correia (1924–2003)
 * António Livramento (1944–1999), hockey player
 * Carlos Lopes (born 1947), marathon Olympic champion
 * Carlos Sousa, off-road driver, world champion in 2003
 * Fernanda Ribeiro (born 1969), 10,000m Olympic champion
 * Francis Obikwelu, Nigerian-born runner
 * Joaquim Agostinho, cyclist
 * José Azevedo, cyclist
 * João Sousa, tennis player
 * Moises Henriques, Australian cricketer from Portugal
 * Nelson Évora, long jump Olympic and world champion
 * Pedro Lamy, former Formula One and DTM driver
 * Rosa Mota (born 1958), marathon Olympic champion
 * Rui Costa, cycling world champion
 * Telma Monteiro, four times judo silver medalist at world championships
 * Tiago Monteiro, former Champ Car and Formula One driver
 * Ticha Penicheiro, WNBA player
 * Vanessa Fernandes, triathlon world champion

Politicians

 * Afonso Costa (1871–1937), Prime Minister during the First Republic
 * Alberto João Jardim (born 1943), President of Regional Government of the Madeira Autonomous Region for 37 years
 * Álvaro Cunhal (1913–2005), former General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
 * Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Prime Minister and President of the Republic
 * Anton de Vieira (1682–1745), governor of St Petersburg and Okhotsk
 * António de Oliveira Salazar (1889–1970), head of government and de facto leader of the Estado Novo dictatorial regime for 36 years
 * António Costa (born 1961), Prime Minister
 * António Guterres, Prime Minister, Secretary-General of the United Nations, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and President of the Socialist International
 * António Vitorino, Minister, judge of the Constitutional Court, EU Commissioner and Director General of the International Organization for Migration
 * Bento Gonçalves (1902–1942), General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
 * Carlos Alberto da Mota Pinto (1936–1985), Prime Minister
 * Carlos Carvalhas (born 1941), General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
 * Diogo Freitas do Amaral, President of the General Assembly of the United Nations and Minister of Foreign Affairs
 * Duarte Pio, Duke of Bragança, claimant to the abolished throne of Portugal
 * Francisco Sá Carneiro (1934–1980), Prime Minister
 * Jaime Ornelas Camacho (1921–2016), first President of the Regional Government of Madeira
 * Jerónimo de Sousa (born 1947), General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
 * Jorge Sampaio, President of the Republic and Mayor of Lisbon
 * José Manuel Barroso, Prime Minister and President of the European Commission
 * José Sócrates, Prime Minister
 * Manuel Pinho (born 1954), Minister of the Economy and Innovation
 * Marcelo Caetano (1906–1980), last head of government of the Estado Novo dictatorial regime, from 1968 to 1974
 * Mário Soares (1924–2017), Prime Minister and President of the Republic
 * Octávio Pato (1925–1999)
 * Pedro Santana Lopes, Prime Minister and Mayor of Lisbon
 * Teresa Heinz Kerry, philanthropist and wife of US Senator John Kerry
 * Vasco Gonçalves (1922–2005), Prime Minister
 * Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal (1699–1782), statesman

Historians

 * Diogo do Couto (1542–1616), historian of India and Sri Lanka
 * José Hermano Saraiva (1919–2012)

Businesspeople

 * Américo Amorim (1934–2017)
 * Belmiro de Azevedo (1938–2017)
 * Francisco Pinto Balsemão (born 1937)
 * Joe Berardo (born 1944)
 * Salvador Caetano (1926–2011)
 * António Champalimaud (1918–2004)
 * Antonia Ferreira (1811–1896), winemaker

Other

 * Catarina de Albuquerque (born 1970), UN Special Rapporteur
 * Mariana Alcoforado (1624–1723), nun and writer
 * Rita Almeida (born 1974), World Bank economist
 * Jorge de Cabedo (1525–1604), jurist
 * Catarina Eufémia (1928–1954), assassinated rural worker
 * Abraham Aboab Falero, 17th century Jewish philanthropist
 * Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos (1837–1880), 19th-century archbishop of the Portuguese colonial enclave Goa
 * Deu-la-Deu Martins 14th century hero
 * Fernando Pessa (1902–2002), journalist
 * Sara Sampaio (born 1991), model